In the second of a two-part interview, Legal Week editor Alex Novarese talks to Allen & Overy (A&O) senior partner David Morley about the outlook for law firms in the current economic climate, the biggest challenges facing A&O over the next 5-10 years, and whether the changes ushered in by the Legal Services Act will be relevant for corporate legal advisers.

Other topics discussed include:

  • Growing levels of competition among the legal profession;
  • The lessons A&O has learned in the US since the firm's Stateside launch;
  • The working culture at magic circle firms; and
  • The role of business lawyers – should advisers become more rounded and relationship-focused?